- April 28, 2024
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The Flagler Beach City Commission unanimously approved a contract with incoming City Manager Dale Martin on July 27. Martin began his tenure on July 29, replacing Interim City Manager Mike Abels.
The contract with Martin is for three years and may be renewed annually after that. Martin will begin with a salary of $156,000, to increase to $165,000 beginning Oct. 1, according to the contract.
Martin was unanimously chosen as the new city manager on July 14. The city manager search was conducted through the executive recruiting firm Colin Baenziger & Associates.
Martin, a U.S. Army veteran from Michigan, has 25 years of local government experience. He was the city manager of Fernandina Beach for the last seven years, until March 2023.
The July 27 meeting was Abels’ last commission meeting. Abels came out of retirement in February to step in as interim city manager.
Commission Vice Chair Rick Belhumeur presented Abels with a plaque for his service to the city. Abels said he couldn’t have done the job without the support of city staff and the commission’s dedication to the city’s future.
“You have a very, very dedicated city staff that has helped me in everything I’ve done,” Abels said to the commissioners. “... [And] I think the citizens of Flagler Beach can be very proud of you and the futuristic vision that you’re bringing to the city.”
All of the commission and several residents thanked Abels for his help in the last few months. Commission Chair Eric Cooley said the city was a “hot mess” when Abels started in February, but the interim city manager’s arrival had an “instant” effect.
“There was no big pivot,” Cooley said. “It was just like, the seas calmed and then everything just clicked. It was seamless.”
Mayor Suzie Johnston told Abels he reset the tone for the commission and the city.
“You’ve set a high bar for Dale,” she said.
